Why should I co-operate with BJP, Wagh roars in protest

Ruling BJP’s rebel MLA Vishnu Wagh appears to be taking his party leadership head on: he has decided not to co-operate with the party until his dignity in the saffron brigade is restored.

He was the only BJP MLA who did not attend the Chintan Baithak held at Calangute last night when even defence minister Manohar Parrikar stayed behind for the crucial meeting.

The meeting was crucial in background of Panaji bye-election as well as the forthcoming Zilla Panchayat election, where the BJP wants to go alone.

The proposal is to break ties with its like-minded alliance partner – the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party.

But Wagh feels it’s suicidal.

Why are you not co-operating with the party by attending the Chintan Baithak, goanews.com asked him.

“Why should I co-operate when they are keeping me out of everything they decide?” He shot back.

He also made it clear: “I worked for the party for two years and even campaigned in Lok Sabha elections in Goa and Maharashtra in spite of all the insults. I have not been told till date why I was stripped off all the positions I was holding.”

Wagh, an artist and writer in his own right, was the Chairman of Goa Kala Academy as well as Vice Chairman of the Entertainment Society of Goa.

“They are making somebody else in-charge of BJP membership in my own constituency without consulting me.”

So, do you think time has come to quit the party? – goanews.com.

“I don’t think so.” – Wagh.

How will you then survive in the party with such offensive stand? – goanews.com.

“I will survive. I am not dependent on anybody for my survival.” – Wagh.

According to him, the party is having Chintan Baithak because the leaders are worried.

“जाका चिंता लागता ताका चिंतन करचें पडटा. हांव सध्या चिंतामुक्त आसां.”

He has no reservations about the BJP going alone for the ZP elections, without taking the MGP along.

“But not for the Assembly polls. That’s suicidal. It’s happening because of some overenthusiastic leaders of Ponda, not from rest of Goa.”

He hits the nail right at the centre – Ponda - while the three-member MGP is concentrated only in Ponda taluka – Marcaim, Priol and Ponda, represented by PWD minister Sudin Dhawalikar, his brother Dipak and Lavoo Mamledar respectively.